UTC Lira playground upgrade begins with Dwog Pacu and LPG support

8 August 2026, 5:39 pm

By Regina Lalam

Speaking at the event, Chris Ogwang Alele, Projects Coordinator at UTC Lira, said the institution has two football pitches where dumping of soil has already been carried out by the Akii-Bua team.

“The total cost of this phase is one hundred and twenty-nine million, five hundred and seventy thousand shillings (UGX 129,570,000). We thank the Akii-Bua team for providing the soil, which will help us reduce the cost. We also thank the Dwog Pacu team for lobbying for the material from the Akii-Bua construction site,” Alele said.

“Ground clearance and levelling of the entire pitch, installation of a perimeter fence, drainage management, construction of spectator stands, levelling and compaction, and grass planting are among the planned works. Future plans include upgrading the facility to a pavilion, blocking off adjacent areas and raising them,” said Chris Ogwang Alele, the Project Coordinator at UTC Lira.

Alele said the project would take less than one month to complete, with the only possible delay being the delivery of soil.

He added that UTC Lira, as a Government institution, is set to become a major sports centre, but called for improvements to the “dilapidated buildings” surrounding the facility.

Meanwhile, Ojuka David Ongom, who will lead the supervision of the project, assured stakeholders that the work would be completed to the required standards and within the agreed scope.

Emmy Egole Lawrence, the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) for Lira, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony, applauded the chief guest, Hon. Patrick Ogwang Obura, MP for Oyam South and Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, for honouring the event despite his other commitments.

“When you are the Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, you are the chairperson of Lango. There are so many talents in Lango; we just need to bring them together,” he said.

He also recognised Ebuk Samu, popularly known as Sam Samu, for his passion for sports and thanked the Dwog Pacu Foundation team, led by its Chairperson, Kenneth Okwir Kaunda, for their continued support.

“Sports are very expensive, but you people have persevered despite the cost,” Egole emphasised.

“Facilities such as Akii-Bua belong to the National Council of Sports, and hiring them is not easy. That is why we need UTC to work,” RCC Egole added.

Ayo, a member of the Lango Super Fans Executive Committee and a boda boda rider, said the Boda Boda Association recently organised a one-week tournament and has agreed to promote peace across Lango.

Ayo added that the Boda Boda Association always welcomes Government initiatives and appealed for support to provide football kits for 24 boda boda teams. He also called on the Lango Parliamentary Group to support Lango Super Fans in recognition of their continued efforts.

Hon. Patrick Ogwang Obura, MP for Oyam South and chief guest at the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, 8 August 2026, said he was moved by the passion for sports demonstrated during the Dwog Pacu Cup tournament.

“In our community, we need activities that bring us together. On that day, some players sustained injuries because of the poor condition of the pitch at UTC. We appreciate this development to upgrade the playground by the Dwog Pacu Foundation, with support from the Lango Parliamentary Group,” he said.

He announced that the Lango Parliamentary Group would visit Akii-Bua Stadium the following week and applauded President Yoweri Museveni for considering their request for the construction of Akii-Bua Stadium.

Obura also noted challenges with access roads and facilities at Akii-Bua Stadium and said an inspection would be conducted on Monday. He requested the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) to allow the Dwog Pacu committee to participate in the inspection.

“As the Lango Parliamentary Group, we always work as a team and put aside political differences. Dwog Pacu should do the same and focus on sports development. Within the next five years, through lobbying, we shall improve these buildings,” he pledged.

Addressing the contractor, he said: “Do everything possible so that next time fans can have good seats and be comfortable.”

Hon. Ogwang also donated 20 footballs and sets of football kits to boda boda teams and warned riders against transporting suspected thieves at night.

Responding to a request from the UTC Principal for support to renovate the dilapidated buildings at the college, the Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group advised the management to write a letter outlining the challenges facing the institution. He said the group would use the information to lobby for improvements, including the renovation of the roofs.

As he concluded, he said, “Lango can still produce the best talents. We must have a passion for football and willingly support its development.”

The groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of efforts to transform the UTC playground into a modern sports hub for Lango.